In the Southern Outer Banks you'll find North Carolina's Crystal Coast. This 85-mile stretch of coastline is home to many unique beach communities, such as Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, and Emerald Isle. Many newcomers to the Outer Banks find that the best way to delve into local history, landscapes and culture is through a tour. Luckily, the Outer Banks have a world of different routes available.
In total, National Seashore includes more than 10 beaches and beach access points, ranging from quiet Coquina Beach at the north end to secluded Ocracoke Beach at the southernmost point. Carova and Corolla del Norte can offer a lot of large shells, especially at low tide, and along beaches that have a long, shallow sandbar (not a slope) with waves that break close to the coast. Remnants of this history can still be found along the coast, thanks to a collection of original beach houses from the 1920s known as “Millionaire's Row”, and the area remains one of the most popular beach communities in the entire region. Privileged locations with ample parking, access to restrooms and great beaches include Canadian Hole, south of Avon, the “old lighthouse” in the heart of Buxton, and the “Bathhouse”, south of Frisco.
Skydiving, which soars hundreds of feet above the ground, is a surprisingly relaxing way to see the Outer Banks from a new perspective. Totally harmless and common in the Outer Banks, many giggles come from a sand digger frantically trying to dig in the palm of someone's hand. There are seven villages scattered across the island of Hatteras that have local grocery stores and beach stores, restaurants, services and other services, and each of these communities (the three villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, Avon, Buxton & Frisco and Hatteras) borders miles of undeveloped beaches. While at one point these horses roamed nearly every stretch of the Outer Banks, the only beaches that see them in their wild habitat now are the deserted beaches north of Corolla, collectively called Carova by the locals.
Visitors new to the Outer Banks beach scene can learn a lot when embarking on a class or tour, and newcomers will soon discover that there are plenty of options to choose from. Keep in mind that with more than 70 miles of shoreline stretching from the Bonner Bridge to Ocracoke Island, getting to the beach may require a short walk through greenery and overgrown beach trails. South Nags Head has a beach similar to that of its northern neighbor Nags Head, but it's a much quieter destination, with just a few rows of beach houses and scarce, if any, businesses. Tourists can sail across the sea, the skies or the land to enjoy an in-depth view of the Outer Banks, and they can choose between quick one-hour excursions or overnight trips to explore the region's little-known hidden treasures.
Whichever part of the Outer Banks you choose for beach cover, you'll be rewarded with mile-wide ocean views, warm, sunny days with fresh sea breezes, and plenty of space to rest and enjoy your own private retreat. Whether a beach lover wants to experience something new or perfect their favorite water sport, the wide variety of activities available makes it easy to enjoy the Outer Banks beaches based on specific interests and activities.
